A federal judge in Providence has vacated the Environmental Protection Agency’s cancellation of the $7 billion Solar for All program, restoring the legal footing for Rhode Island’s $49.33 million award while leaving open the possibility of an appeal.
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy ruled Friday, September 18, that EPA lacked authority to terminate the grants after Congress had specifically directed the money to the program, according to The Associated Press. The decision does not mean solar projects will begin immediately: the administration can appeal, and state officials will still have to resume program administration after months of uncertainty.
The ruling reaches beyond one state. EPA originally selected 60 recipients nationwide for the $7 billion program, including states, tribes and multistate nonprofits. The court’s order therefore removes the termination that had blocked Rhode Island alongside dozens of other awards.
For Rhode Island, the ruling revives a substantial piece of the state’s household-energy strategy. EPA selected the Office of Energy Resources in April 2024 for a $49.33 million Solar for All award. The approved plan called for seven financial-assistance programs and 12 technical-assistance initiatives aimed at reducing barriers for low-income renters and homeowners.
The state branded its program “EASE,” or Equitable Access to Solar Energy. The Office of Energy Resources’ program page says the funding was designed to expand access to rooftop, multifamily and community solar while supporting related workforce development. That structure matters in Rhode Island, where renters and residents of multifamily buildings often cannot install panels on property they control.
What the ruling changes
McElroy’s order vacated the nationwide termination, rather than merely awarding damages to one plaintiff. Reuters reported that the case was brought by a group including the Rhode Island AFL-CIO and organizations that expected to participate in projects supported by the grants. EPA said it was reviewing the decision and considering an appeal.
The practical result is a clearer path for the state to restart planning, contracting and outreach, but not a guarantee that every previously contemplated project or timetable will proceed unchanged. Residents should wait for updated eligibility rules and application dates from the Office of Energy Resources rather than relying on schedules published before the cancellation.
The underlying award was targeted, not a universal rebate. EPA’s original announcement said the assistance would be reserved for low-income and disadvantaged communities and tailored to both renters and homeowners. The state therefore will need to explain which households, buildings and community-solar subscriptions qualify when implementation resumes.
Friday’s ruling is especially consequential for Rhode Island because it came from the federal court in Providence and directly addressed the program’s nationwide termination. It restores the state award’s legal basis; the next decision point is whether EPA seeks a stay or appeal and how quickly Rhode Island can publish a revised launch schedule.
